Scientists from RMIT University (Melbourne, Australia) have developed a cost-efficient and scalable laser-printing method for rapidly fabricating textiles that are embedded with energy-storage devices. In three minutes, the method can produce a 10 x 10 cm smart-textile patch that is waterproof, stretchable, and readily integrated with energy-harvesting technologies.

The technology enables graphene supercapacitors (energy-storage devices) to be laser-printed directly onto textiles such as nylon. In a proof of concept, the researchers connected a laser-printed supercapacitor with a photovoltaic cell to produce an efficient, washable, self-powering smart fabric that they say overcomes the key drawbacks of existing e-textile energy-storage technologies. Read More